Book Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Aibileen is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, who's always taken orders quietly, but lately she's unable to hold her bitterness back. Her friend Minny has never held her tongue but now must somehow keep secrets about her employer that leave her speechless. White socialite Skeeter just graduated college. She's full of ambition, but without a husband, she's considered a failure. Together, these seemingly different women join together to write a tell-all book about work as a black maid in the South, that could forever alter their destinies and the life of a small town...

My Review:

Wow! I know I mentioned once before that I normally don't read the big bestsellers right away because I think a lot of times books can be hyped up too much. But this book deserves all the hype it can get. I found The Help to be wonderful, inspiring, funny, scary, and a great read.

Its 1962 and 'Skeeter' Phelan just graduated and moved back home to a criticizing mother and no husband or boyfriend. But Skeeter has dreams of being a writer... which leads her eventually to the idea of writing about the help, the colored women who work for the rich white women in Jackson, Mississippi. The social rights movement is beginning to get off the ground and Skeeter gets a little positive feedback from an editor at a publishing company in New York City for her idea.

Skeeter is young though and doesn't realize how difficult it will be to get the maids to talk to her. She will have to cross the color line, and when she does, she'll begin to understand just how dangerous the territory is that she has entered.

Aibileen, the first colored maid that Skeeter befriends is a wonderful woman and my favorite character. She is wise and loving, which is apparent in the care she shows for the little white girl that she cares for in her job.

The maids stories are wonderful and sad. I think Kathryn Stockett did a great job portraying the early 1960s in the south. I don't want to give any more away... so go ahead- believe the hype and read The Help.